Alpine’s one-make series for the electric A290 Rallye arrives in Vendôme this weekend for the second-to-last round of its 2026 season. Two drivers have shared every stage win and every victory so far, and with a weighted finale still to come in the Cévennes, the margin for error is shrinking. The overall winner takes home an official Alpine Racing programme.

Less than three weeks after the series resumed in the Alps at Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine, the Alpine A290 Rally Trophy moves to Vendôme for Rallye Cœur de France, the penultimate event of its 2026 campaign. The season concludes in late October in the Cévennes, where points carry a 1.5 multiplier — enough to keep the championship open, but not enough to make a mistake here affordable.

Two drivers, every win so far

Every stage win and every rally victory this year has gone to the same pair of drivers. Melvin Rabilloud (Fun Meca Sport / Alpine Store Annecy), co-driven by Enzo Mahinc, took his second win of the season on home ground at Mont-Blanc and travels to Vendôme with a points lead and the momentum that comes with it. Aymeric Lenoir and Florian Hosson (FK Express / Alpine Store Calais) are looking to hit back, though they tackle this rally for the first time.

Denis Ridel (RDL Développement), who leads the Alpine A290 Regional Trophy alongside Gaëtan Debec, is the closest challenger. He has never contested Rallye Cœur de France either, and is chasing a fourth consecutive podium to keep his title hopes alive.

A tightening midfield

Pascal Janel and Jean-Pascal Berger (BTEC Team Race School Consulting) arrive on the back of two straight top-five results and want to move within reach of the rostrum. Philippe Janvier and Julie Derory (David Auto Compétition / Alpine Store Clermont-Ferrand) counter with local knowledge of the stages around Vendôme.

Benoît Mouquet (FK Express / Alpine Store Calais), who last weekend became the first driver to win the French Slalom Cup with the A290 Rallye, rejoins co-driver Pierre Hermant and needs a clean run to regain ground in the standings on the Turkish crew of Nazan Zorlu and Ozhan Ciplak (Chazel Technologie Course / Alpine Store Nîmes).

Three new crews, including a Belgian debut

The entry list grows with three additions. Enzo Lucotte (FK Express / Alpine Store Dijon) makes his first start of the year with Anne-Laurence Breton; he ran in the category’s inaugural outing at Rallye de l’Indre last autumn, setting two top-three stage times before an error on the third stage. Franck Chaput (Rageau Sport Location / Alpine Store Mantes-Le Vexin), a multiple French Rally Cup finalist, makes his series debut with Yann Poursain after winning the e-Rally5 class and finishing 19th overall at Rallye National des Monts de Blond.

The VIP entry goes to Belgian content creator ‘Alexandra La Belge’, who is also active in sim racing and will contest her first rally with former Alpine Racing WRC co-driver Hervé Faucher reading the notes. That adds Belgium to a field that already spans France, Turkey and Germany.

The route

Saturday brings two loops of Cellé (11.89 km / 7.39 miles) and Bessé-sur-Braye (14.92 km / 9.27 miles), followed by a super special on the streets of Vendôme (0.83 km / 0.52 miles). Sunday features two runs each of Mazangé–Fortan (11.91 km / 7.40 miles) and Sargé-sur-Braye (22.1 km / 13.73 miles) before the podium ceremony at the Parvis Rochambeau.

Across the 122.47 km (76.1 miles) of timed stages, the three fastest drivers on each of the last six stages collect up to three ‘Performer’ points on top of the standard finishing score. Alpine says the field receives a dedicated support package covering technical assistance, sustainable charging and spare parts, with Alpine Racing handling scrutineering and the allocation of Michelin tyres.

What is at stake

Beyond the trophy, the competitors share in €236,000 of prize money and season awards, and the eventual champion is handed an official Alpine Racing programme — a rare, concrete route from a one-make series into a manufacturer drive, and a key part of why this all-electric category has drawn such a mixed entry list in only its second year.

Facts: Alpine A290 Rally Trophy, Rallye Cœur de France

  • Event: Rallye Cœur de France, Vendôme — round of the French Rally Championship
  • Status: penultimate round of the 2026 Alpine A290 Rally Trophy
  • Competitive distance: 122.47 km (76.1 miles)
  • Stages: Cellé 11.89 km, Bessé-sur-Braye 14.92 km, Vendôme super special 0.83 km, Mazangé–Fortan 11.91 km, Sargé-sur-Braye 22.1 km
  • Bonus points: up to three ‘Performer’ points on each of the final six stages
  • Entries: 10 crews
  • Prize fund: €236,000 in prize money and season awards
  • Main prize: an official Alpine Racing programme for the champion

The rally runs this weekend, with the podium ceremony on Sunday evening in Vendôme; the season finishes in the Cévennes in late October.

Source: media.alpinecars.com